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Soto re-ups with Rangers on one-year pact

Soto re-ups with Rangers on one-year pact

Geovany Soto and GM Jon Daniels talk about the Rangers signing the backstop to a one-year contract

By T.R. Sullivan
/
MLB.com |

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Rangers have signed catcher Geovany Soto to a one-year contract, pending a physical. The deal has not been announced, but is expected to be finalized in the next 24-48 hours.

The Rangers non-tendered Soto on Friday when they couldn't reach an agreement before the tender deadline. He had been eligible for arbitration after making $4.3 million in 2012. But the two sides were able to come to an agreement just two days later. Soto is eligible to be a free agent after this upcoming season.

The signing came on the eve of the Winter Meetings, which officially begin on Monday here at the Opryland Resort. Rangers officials arrived on Sunday and spent most of the evening meeting among themselves to discuss their various options.

The Rangers acquired Soto from the Cubs on July 30 to pair with Mike Napoli behind the plate while releasing Yorvit Torrealba. Soto played in 47 games for the Rangers and hit .196 with five home runs and 25 RBIs. He had a .253 on-base percentage and a .338 slugging percentage.

The Rangers are still looking for more catching help and they met with Napoli last week in Arlington. Napoli is also being pursued by the Red Sox and the Mariners, among other possible suitors. The Rangers have also expressed interest in Blue Jays catcher John Buck, who was acquired by Toronto in their trade with the Marlins last month.

The Rangers have two other catchers on their 40-man roster in Luis Martinez and Konrad Schmidt. But together they have played in just 40 games in their Major League careers.